n.
popular name for aFlying-Phalanger, Petaurus sciureus, Shaw, a marsupialwith a parachute-like fold of skin along the sides by which heskims and floats through the air. The name is applied toentirely different animals in Europe and America.
1789. Governor Phillip, `Voyage to Botany Bay,' c. xv. p. 151:
«Norfolk Island flying squirrel.» [With picture.]
1827. P. Cunningham, `Two Years in New South Wales,' vol. i.:
«The flying squirrels are of a beautiful slate colour, witha fur so fine that, although a small animal, the hatters heregive a quarter dollar for every skin.»
1849. J. P. Townsend, `Rambles in New South Wales,' p. 37:
«The squeal and chirp of the flying squirrel.»
1850. R. C. Gunn, `Proceedings of the Royal Society of VanDiemen's Land,' vol. i. p. 253:
«In the year 1845 I drew the attention of the Tasmanian Societyto the interesting fact that the Petaurus sciureus, orFlying Squirrel, of Port Phillip, was becoming naturalized inVan Diemen's Land. . . . No species of Petaurus isindigenous to Tasmania. . . . It does not appear from all thatI can learn, that any living specimens of the Petaurusschireus were imported into Van Diemen's Land prior to1834; but immediately after the settlement of Port Phillip,in that year, considerable numbers of the flying squirrel were,from their beauty, brought over as pets by the early visitors.»
1851. J. B. Clutterbuck, `Port Phillip in 1849,' p. 78:
«The flying squirrel, another of the opossum species of themarsupial order, is a beautiful little creature, and disposedover the whole of the interior of New South Wales: its fur isof a finer texture than that of the opossum.»
1855. W. Blandowski, `Transactions of Philosophical Society ofVictoria,' vol. i. p. 70:
«The common flying squirrel ( Petaurus sciureus) is veryplentiful in the large gum trees near the banks of a creek orriver, and appears to entertain a peculiar aversion to the highlands.»
1890. C. Lumholtz, `Among Cannibals,' p. 90:
«Flying squirrel.»
[Footnote]:
«The marsupial flying phalanger is so called by the Australians.»